Page 3 | If someone is described as having a "strong personality"

UnhappyAndYouKnowIt · 2024-09-14T06:31:35+00:00

What does that mean to you? I would usually take it as a polite way of saying someone is domineering or a bully. But I'm second guessing myself and wondering if that's too harsh.

XiCi · 14/09/2024 11:29

Fannyfiggs · 14/09/2024 07:56

It's usually a woman who won't put up with any shit and questions things.

It would never be used to describe a man.

Yes this. I don't think it's a negative thing. To me it would signal someone that doesn't put up with any shit and speaks up when something is not right. Someone that won't let others walk all over them.

Yolo12345 · 14/09/2024 15:38

If it's a man - "leader", admired, looked up to, helped, swooned over, etc

If it's a women - "nag", "bossy", not a "nice girl", "masculine" etc etc

LoobyDoop2 · 14/09/2024 16:06

Turn it on its head. Someone who wouldn’t be described as having a strong personality would be easily led, frequently unheard, tending to be overruled if they ever expressed an opinion or a preference… I know which I’d rather be. Of course some people with strong personalities are arseholes, but by no means all.

Growsomeballswoman · 14/09/2024 16:07

Bossy

TillyKister · 14/09/2024 17:18

From experience they're usually opinionated pains in the arse. With very little self awareness.

lljkk · 14/09/2024 17:36

Pushy.

BurnerName1 · 14/09/2024 17:37

Thingamebobwotsit · 14/09/2024 07:39

Often used by men to describe women in the workplace.

Occasionally used by women to describe women.

Rarely used, IME, by men to describe men.

And can mean a multitude of different things from experience. None of it kind.

This is very accurate.

honeylulu · 14/09/2024 17:53

Loud, arrogant, self centred.

I hate the expression as it implies people who have a quieter demeanour have a "weak personality".

Halloumiheaven · 14/09/2024 18:06

honeylulu · 14/09/2024 17:53

Loud, arrogant, self centred.

I hate the expression as it implies people who have a quieter demeanour have a "weak personality".

I agree, we had one of these "strong personalities" recently join, and this woman talks (and at volume) non stop, it's like the "Amy" show (not real name) , it's like she's the celebrity of the office, it's all about her and her life and her aspirations. Will report people to managers for things after being there 5 minutes, always having some kind of mini drama/crisis that everyone else has to be privvy to. She also has an army of new recruit followers who are in awe of her and want to be part of it.

To be honest I did once describe her as a "strong personality" as it was the only polite way of wording it. I didn't dislike her as such, but it is draining if you are quieter and literally can't get away from them for hours at a time.

But according to this thread it's a "male" insult directed solely at "females".

I don't mean to sound patronising, but I do think some people are getting muddled up with "strong willed" and "strong personality".

If I heard say "formidable" or "hard task master" or something like that - I'd assume they commanded respect and we're quite 'strict'/ran a tight ship (good thing ) if I hear "strong personality" I think loud and brash. I genuinely don't think it's an attack on strong, go-getting women.

Original poster

UnhappyAndYouKnowIt · 14/09/2024 22:28

LoobyDoop2 · 14/09/2024 16:06

Turn it on its head. Someone who wouldn’t be described as having a strong personality would be easily led, frequently unheard, tending to be overruled if they ever expressed an opinion or a preference… I know which I’d rather be. Of course some people with strong personalities are arseholes, but by no means all.

This is a good point. If one person has a strong personality, what does that say about the rest of us? 🤣

OP posts:

StolenChanel · 15/09/2024 08:09

Halloumiheaven · 14/09/2024 18:06

I agree, we had one of these "strong personalities" recently join, and this woman talks (and at volume) non stop, it's like the "Amy" show (not real name) , it's like she's the celebrity of the office, it's all about her and her life and her aspirations. Will report people to managers for things after being there 5 minutes, always having some kind of mini drama/crisis that everyone else has to be privvy to. She also has an army of new recruit followers who are in awe of her and want to be part of it.

To be honest I did once describe her as a "strong personality" as it was the only polite way of wording it. I didn't dislike her as such, but it is draining if you are quieter and literally can't get away from them for hours at a time.

But according to this thread it's a "male" insult directed solely at "females".

I don't mean to sound patronising, but I do think some people are getting muddled up with "strong willed" and "strong personality".

If I heard say "formidable" or "hard task master" or something like that - I'd assume they commanded respect and we're quite 'strict'/ran a tight ship (good thing ) if I hear "strong personality" I think loud and brash. I genuinely don't think it's an attack on strong, go-getting women.

Edited

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I don't mean to sound patronising, but I do think some people are getting muddled up with "strong willed" and "strong personality".

If I heard say "formidable" or "hard task master" or something like that - I'd assume they commanded respect and we're quite 'strict'/ran a tight ship (good thing ) if I hear "strong personality" I think loud and brash. I genuinely don't think it's an attack on strong, go-getting women.

See I would put “strong-willed”, “formidable” and “hard task master” under the same umbrella (indicating that someone is determined yet intimidating and demanding) but not “strong personality”. To me, a strong personality has similar traits but is also funny and likeable. The others sound more negative to me; stern, cold and uncaring.